Re: with regret: Debbie DanDurand-Castorino Passes

Debbie was one of the very first people I encountered when I began
dancing. My very first dance lesson was in West Coast Swing at Let's
Dance LA; the class was taught by Melanie Dawson (then Melanie
Roberts), with Debbie assisting. Deddie was always very encouraging
to the "newbie" dancers such as myself.

I have a vivid recollection of attending my very first WCS dance, the
San Gabriel Valley Swing Club's monthly dance at Let's Dance hosted by
Steve and Marie Salazar. I was terrified and intimidated; I only got
on the floor because Debbie and Sue Canada were there making sure that
the newbies got to dance. Debbie was the first person I ever danced
with outside of a dance class. Her early support and encouragement
played a big part in my sticking with dancing when I could easily have
quit.

Over the years, I became friends with Debbie. She was a very private
person and I tried to honor her wishes in that regard. As a result,
I'm not sure she ever knew how many people she touched through her
years as a dancer. For those who only knew her when she was with
Robert, you should know that she never lost her passion for dancing.

I also watched the care and devotion she put into being a mother, not
always an easy task when her children were living with their father in
Colorado. But I know that both her son and daughter beneffited from
her devotion; her daughter Suzie, who now lives in California, has
grown into a fine young woman, a living tribute to Debbie. Her
husband, Tony, is a wonderful man; ironically, Debbie had of late been
helping him with his own battle against cancer.

As I've learned myself recently, we never know what twists and turns
life may hold for us in terms of our health. The MS slogan "Dance
Because You Can" is not just a slogan, it is the truth. Treasure your
health, treasure your dances, and especially treasure your friends and
family.

Debbie was my friend. I'll miss her.

David Koppelman

.

Relevant Pages

  • Ann/SoCal: Dancers Stretch & Tone 1/26 - Syncopations & Styling Workshop 1/27 - Othe
    ... Elements of pilates, yoga and traditional dance exercises, focus on ... Intermediate West Coast Swing class every Sunday at 2:30 pm. ... the world of partner dancing. ... Mix of West Coast Swing, Country 2-Step, Hustle, Nightclub ...
    (rec.arts.dance)
  • ANN/DANCE CHATTER: News, Reviews, Places to Dance, Classes & More
    ... Dancing at the Autry National Center up at Griffith Park. ... owners of Starlight Dance Studio, in San Diego and explained what they ... Cha, Samba, East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing. ... Lesson/Class: Salsa lesson before open dancing, ...
    (rec.arts.dance)
  • Re: SPOILERS - So You Think You Can Dance - July 11 show
    ... I loved Benji's choreography for Pasha and Sara dancing the ... long-awaited "real West Coast Swing" number. ... They did not and it isn't the dancers ... as a dance was lost in his choreography. ...
    (rec.arts.dance)
  • Re: SPOILERS - So You Think You Can Dance - July 11 show
    ... I loved Benji's choreography for Pasha and Sara dancing the ... long-awaited "real West Coast Swing" number. ... They did not and it isn't the dancers ... as a dance was lost in his choreography. ...
    (rec.arts.dance)
  • Re: Detox - AGAIN
    ... "Debbie" wrote ... know I had to have been as drunk as I have ever been. ... dance. ... The Polaroids of you dancing in the motel room are available for a nominal ...
    (alt.support.stop-smoking)